Knitting reel



Sept 2, 1941- A. L. BENSON 2,254,468

KNITTING REEL Filed April 50, 1941 ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 2, 1941STATES TET QFFICE "y 4 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in knitting reels of thenature described in my copending application led July 15, 1940, SerialNo. 345,521 which matured into Patent No. 2,246,713 on June 24, 1941.

In addition to carrying out the major objects outlined in the statedapplication, further objects of the present invention include theprovision of certain new elements whereby the several parts enteringinto the combination may be combined as a unitary whole kand the new anddiiferent steps involved in the mode of assembling whereby thisunitization is accomplished.

In reconstructing the different parts entering into the improvedcombination, an object of importance has been kept in view, that ofsimplifying the parts to facilitate manufacture whereby certain of theelements may be vmade from plastic material now being rapidly developed,thereby cutting d-own weight, costs, and at the same time having adiierent variety of colors and mottled designs to choose from which aremore appealing to women of discriminating tastes.

Another object is to provide a device of the above named character whichis an improvement on my said prior application in that it is safer tohandle and which can be transported readily with one hand.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention resides inthe novel arrangement and combination of parts and in the details ofconstruction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood thatchanges in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed maybe made within the scope of that which is claimed without departing fromthe spirit of the invention.

In the drawing illustrating my improved invention,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the device supporting a winding ofyarn.

Fig. 2 is a vertical mid-section of the device per se with centralelements shown in side elevation.

Fig. 3 is a zig-zag section taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 2.

Referring in detail to ticularly to Figs. 2 and shown comprising a'circular base 4 having a substantially flat bottom surface 5, to whichis shown applied, a felt pad 6. Said plate is lshown as a casting havingan upstanding peripheral ange or wall 1 forming with said bottom, an

the drawing and par- 3, the device therein is open topped receptacle. Ina thickened portion 8 located axially of said base upstands a spindle 9,the lower portion of said spindle being secured within a hole in saidbase with a driving fit. The upper end Il) of the spindle is showntapered.

A tubular bobbin shaft II loosely surrounds said spindle, the walls ofsaid bobbin being slightly tapered, said bobbin having a somewhatpointed closed upper end I2 rotatably supported upon the top of thespindle. The interior wall I 2a of the closed end is arcuated thuscausing the bobbin to center itself upon and provide an anti-frictionbearing for, the spindle as shown in Fig. 2. Y

The lower end of the flared bobbin is outwardly ybent in a horizontalmanner throughout its peripheral extent and merged with the central partof the horizontal top portion VI3 of the bobin base I4, therebyproviding an opening I5 through which the spindle 9 extends into thebobbin. The length of the tubular bobbin II is so proportioned withrespect to that of the spindle that the plate I3 is rotatably supportedslightly above the upper edge I6 of the annular flange-1, as well shownin Fig. 2. The bobbin I I is preferably made integral with its base I4,the preferred material being plaskon or similar moldable material.

The bobbin base I4 is furnished with a down wardly depending skirtportion I'I which is located in an outwardly spaced relation to theflange 'I of the base 4. The lower edge of the skirt I1 is provided withan outwardly directed flange I8 which is maintained in an upwardlyspaced relation to the lower side of the base 4 and hence does notinterfere with the free rotation of the bobbin when the base is restingupon a at supporting base having a soft cover. At the same time, saidange I8 provides an additional safeguard against the thread or otherflexib-le connection becoming looped thereunder when itis being unwoundfrom the reel.

As a means for detachably connecting the holder, comprising the partsII, I3, I1, and I8,

'y to the base 4 through the medium of the spindle 9, I provide asomewhat narrow diametrically extending cross-well member, desirably abar I9 provided with a centering hole 20 through which the spindleextends, which in the unattached condition is of sufficient length tospan the interior diameter of the base and at the same time rest uponthe top edge I6 of the flange l. The hole 2B is of the proper size notonly to provide a freely working fit for the spindle but will also allowa limitedrfree tilting of the bobbin equal to the clearance space:between the wall 1 and skirt I1. Matchable holes are provided both inthe plate I3 and bar I9 for the attaching screws 2|, said screws beingpointed and of sufficient length to penetrate the screw-threaded holes 2Ia in the bar when it rests on the edge I6. A collar 22 frictionallymounted on the spindle 9 limits the vertical movement of the holder onthe spindle, such movement should be restricted to less than theoverhang of the skirt I1 in relation to the wall 1.

In assembling the device, the collar 22 is mounted on the spindle with adriving fit, then the lower end of the spindle is projected through thehole 20 on the bar I 9 after the latter has been extended diametricallyacross and seated upon the top edge of the Wall 1 whence the Spindle isfastened in the base 4 with a driving fit. 'I'he bottom part of theholder is then mounted upon the spindle and rotated until the holes ofthe bar I9 and plate I3 come into registry. The screws 2I are thenprojected through the holes in the plate I3 and their points enter theholes 2Ia in the bar I 9. Upon properly turning the screws, the bar iselevated to an abutting relation with the plate I3. The recess in thebase promotes an open space for the projecting screws to rotate in.There then is nodanger of the base dropping from the holder and ,causingdamage Vorvinjury to material or people. If occasion demandsdisassemblyof the device, by unscrewing the screws the holder can be removed.

In Fig. 1 Aa winding or skein of yarn 23 is.

shown mounted upon the device illustrated in Fig. 2, in the operativepositionready for knitting; Whether it be askein of yarn or a ball ofcrochet thread, that is mounted upon the device, in' either case free`and satisfactory unwinding is assured.

What is claimed is:

1. In a reel, a circular spindle base having around it a substantiallyvertical Well, a spindle having a tapered upper'end and upstanding fromthe central portion of said base, a tubular bobbin shaft looselysurrounding said spindle, said bobbin shaft having a closed upper endWith'an arcuate under surface with rests rotatably upon the tapered topof said spindle, a horizontally disposed circular plate supportedby'said bobbin shaftin an upwardly spaced relation to the top of thevertical wall which surrounds said spindle base, said plate having adepending skirt portion surrounding said vertical wall in an outwardlyspaced relation thereto, said plate having attached to its under surfacea cross wall member which is provided with a central bearing and guideaperture wherethrough said spindle extends with a loose working fit,said aperture being located concentric to said bobbin shaft, and acollar xed to said spindle in a superjacent spaced relation to saidcross wall member.

2. The subject matter of claim 1 and, said cross wall member being ofsufficient lateral extent to rest upon the top edge of said Verticalwall and bridge the space surrounded thereby, and said attaching meansfor said member consisting of screws projected downwardly through saidhorizontal plate of the spindle, said screws being of suiiicient lengthto penetrate threaded holes for them in said member when the latter issupported as aforesaid upon said vertical Wall.

3. In a reel, a circular spindle base suited for resting upon ahorizontal supporting surface, a spindle having a tapered upper end andupstanding from the central portion of said base, a tubular bobbin shaftloosely surrounding said spindle, said bobbin shaft having a closedupper end with an arcuate under surface which rests rotatably upon thetapered top of said spindle, a horizontally disposed circular platesupported by said bobbin shaft in an upwardly spaced relation to the topof said base, said plate having a depending skirt portion surroundingthe peripheral portion of said base in an outwardly spaced relationthereto, said plate having attached to its under surface a cross wallmember which is provided with a central bearing and guide aperturewherethrough said spindle extends with a loose working vt, said apertureybeing located concentric to said bobbin shaft, a collar xedto saidspindle in a superjacent spaced relation to said cross wall member, andscrews whereby said cross wallA member is securedv to said plate in acontacting relationto its lower face, the top portion of said base beingrecessed to provide room for projecting the points of said screwsthrough said member while the latterY is superimposed upon said basepreparatory to' attach-ing said cross wall member to said plate.

4. In a reel, a circular spindle base, a spindle upstanding from thecentral portion of said base, a tubular bobbin shaft loosely surroundingsaid spindle, said bobbin shaft having aV closed upper end which restsrotatably upon the top of said spindle, a horizontally disposed circularplate supported by said bobbin shaft in an upwardly spaced relation tothe top of said base, said plate having a depending skirt portionsurrounding the peripheral portion of said base in an outwardly spacedrelation thereto, said plate having attached to its under surface across wall member which is provided with a central bearing and guideaperture wherethrough said spindle extends with a loose working fit,said aperture being located concentric to said bobbin shaft, means fixedto said spindle in a superjacent spaced relation tosaid cross wallmember to restrict the upward movement of the latter member therealong,and screws whereby said cross wall member is secured to said plate in acontacting relation to its lower face, the top portion of said basebeing recessed to provide room for projecting the points of said screwsthrough said member while the latter is superimposed upon said basepreparatory to attaching said cross wall member to said plate.

ALBERT L. BENSON.

